Raipur 25 February: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai discussed in detail the status of power supply in the state, future requirements and progress of infrastructure development in the high-level review meeting of the Energy Department. It was found in the meeting that in view of the increasing energy demand, important steps are being taken towards strengthening the power infrastructure in the state. The Chief Minister reviewed the strategic plans keeping in mind the long-term energy needs of the state and directed for their quick implementation. The main points of the review were the supply, availability and upcoming projects of electricity in the state. It was told in the meeting that there has been an increase in demand in the state in the past years, but the availability of electricity could not be ensured as per the demand. No plan has been made to set up new power plants in the state. The Chief Minister reviewed the preparations in view of the demand for the next 10 years. It was brought to notice by the power company that in the coming years, a thermal power plant of 1320 MW capacity will be set up by the production company in Korba. Apart from this, contracts have been made by NTPC for the purchase of 50 percent of the electricity from the plants being set up in the state, due to which the state will get 1200 MW of electricity by the year 2027-28. Apart from this, keeping in mind the future needs, an action plan is being made to achieve additional power generation capacity in the coming years and it is being implemented seriously. Apart from increasing the thermal power generation capacity, various projects are being rapidly taken forward on a large scale to increase the production of pump storage hydroelectric power plants, battery storage solar power plants. This will make electricity available during peak load in addition to the normal period.
Work is being done on a large scale to use the surplus electricity available in other states in the state through inter-state transmission projects. Under the R.D.S.S. scheme, efforts are being made to increase power availability by reducing line losses. More and more power purchase agreements have been made to obtain electricity from thermal power plants of the central sector. It was told in the meeting that no declared or undeclared power cuts are being done in the state. Chhattisgarh state is one of those selected states of the country which provides large quantity and cheap electricity to the farmers. It is noteworthy that 18 hours of free electricity is being provided to the farmers of the state. Even in case of sudden shortage of power supply, the power company of the state purchases electricity through exchange at expensive rates and provides continuous power to the farmers and consumers. Major measures of online IT solutions have also been taken for electricity consumer service. In Bijli Mitan Bot service, consumers can register their complaints through WhatsApp and get solutions. Measures like More Bijli App, 1912 service and local call center have also given encouraging results.
